But, more tellingly, he believes the influence of Mark Warburton and the backing of the new owners, led by Evangelos Marinakis, can help to transform the team's fortunes.

Clough is not promising Forest will deliver a challenge for automatic promotion, but he is convinced that having a positive attitude is vital to success - and says that securing Premier League football has to be their aim, as they prepare for the big kick-off.

"It would be silly not to go into the season with a positive attitude – the aim has to be to win promotion, doesn't it?" said Clough.

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"That has to be the team goal for us. There will be plenty of teams with that ambition, but we have to think like that as well. We have to give it a go. If we stick together, anything is possible.

"This was a squad that underachieved last season, definitely. But with the manager now and the spirit and the team that he is building, along with the staff who are around the place, it all feels positive.

"The new owners are backing the club to a different level and that will really help the players and staff – just knowing that we are being backed. Everything is looking good, we feel good about things."

Forest may only have escaped relegation by goal difference alone, thanks to their final day win over Ipswich.

But Clough believes they head into the new season with a clean slate – and a fresh sense of optimism.

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And he says small things around the club – like the changing rooms being completely renovated at the City Ground – only help to improve the mood.

"Small things are happening that mean a lot – like the changing rooms have been done up. Things like that do make you feel happier around the place," he said.

"It will get the best out of the players here if little things like that are done to improve the environment.

"You just feel the love more and that will get the best out of the players we have here – and we do have some really good players.

"We did underachieve a little bit. But perhaps this season could be the start of something special."

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Clough says the positive attitude of Warburton is also rubbing off on the players, who are starting to believe that this is the start of a bright new era for the Reds.

"Things feel really positive; the manager is really positive. He wants to create the best possible atmosphere about the place, for a big push this season," he said.

"Every team will be the same, every team will believe that they can go on and get promoted. But this year it feels a lot different. Since we have come back in, there is a lot of excitement and positivity around the place.